Draft device.



l C. E. JOHNSTON.

DRAFT DEVICE.. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 18:?)1915' Patented May23,1916.

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III I IHNMK.: :l I l I ITI mr IL CHARLES E. JOHNSTON, OF KrALAMA-ZO, MICHIGAN.

DRAFT DEVICE.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Application led October 18, 1915. Serial No.56,534.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. JOHN- S'rox, a citizen -of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft Devices, of which the following is a specification. j

This invention relates to improvements in draft devices. j

My improved draft device is especially designed by me and I have shown the same in the accompanying drawing as 'I have embodied it for use in bitching Wheeled trailers to automobiles, motor trucks and the like.

The main objects of this invention are: First to provide an improved draft device for trailers, which is effective in reducing shocks and strains to the propelling vehicle and trailer. Second, to provide an improved bitching device having these advantages, which is Simple andcompact in structure and very convenient to use. v

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and point- 'ed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a detail plan view of a structure embodying the features of my invention. Fig. II is a longitudinal vertical Sec# tion on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. I. Fig. III is a detail side view With the tongue of the supporting Strut in its operative position. Fig. IV is an enlarged detail cross section on a line corresponding to line lf-'1 of Fig. I.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the. several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the chassis or body of the propelling vehicle and i2 the tongue of the trailer.

My improved draft device is especially designed for use on a wheel trailer, the tongue being rigid with the body, but, as such structures are well known and the details thereof form no part of this invention,

I do not illustrate the same herein.

At the forward end of the tongue I secure a pair of'sidc plates 3 by means ofthe bolts or rlvets l, 'so that their forward ends project beyond the end of the tongue in a p.

spaced relation to each other to receive the swivel block 5 between them. The swivel block 5 is providedwith journals 6 disposed horizontally in suitable bearings 7 provided therefor in the plates 3.

The draw bar 8 is round in cross section and is Swiveled inthe bearing 9 of the swivel block disposed transversely of its journals (3. At its forward end the. draw bar 8 is provided with a head 10 slotted at 11 to receive the coupling member 12, which is securedto the frame 1 by means of suitable bolts 13. The head and coupling members are perforated to receive the coupling bolt 1J., which is retained b v means of the pin 15. On the rear end of the draw bar 8 iS a ycastellated nut 1G adjustably retained by means of the pin 17.

A coiled spring 18 is arranged on the draw bar between the head 10 andthekswivel block` and a second coiled spring 19 is ar-y ranged on the draw bar between the swivel' block and the nut 1G. These springs act as buffers or shock absorbers, taking the strain and shocks incident to the starting and Stopping of the automobile or other vehicle and also the shocks and strains due to uneven roads.

rllhe block 5, being free to swivel, providesthe horizontal pivotal movement, as

is required under varying conditions, andv also relieves the parts of shock andstrains. The draw bar is free to swivel in the swivel block and is also free to pivot on the coupling bolt 14, th'us making a connection which is-very flexible and at the same time Strong and durable.

To support the tongue when unhitched from the propelling vehicle I provide a strut Q0 which is pivoted at the side of the plates 3 by the bolt Q1. The plates are provided with lugs QQ for supporting the strut in an inclined position. see Figs. I and III. The strnt may be swung rearwardly against the under side of the tongue and retained by a suitable catch or hook, not illustrated.

The connection is a complete universal joint so that in turning the vehicle shortly the: joint will allow thetrailer to follow without cramping the pole. The joint also allows, as statedy for 'inequalities ofr the road,allowing the trailer to yfollow Lover ruts and hunnnoeks without straining the drawing vehicle.r

Having thus described lny invention, what I claim as new and desire to' secure by Letters Patent, is: l o

1. In a draft device` the eonibination with i a tongue, of a paii` of plates secured to the sides of saidtongue yto project forwardly therefrom i11-,:`1s[')aeed relation, a swivel block]jourualed'between I said plates, the

journals of, said bloek being horizontally disposed a draw bar swiveled in said journal hloek' and ,havinga horizontally slot-r ted head, a .nut threaded upon the rear en d of said drawvliar for,adjustment thereon` eoiled springs arranged on said draw bar between said head and said Vswivel block and between said nut and said swivel block, a

coupling inember disposedl in said slotted head, and a couleiling bolt disposed vertically through .said h `.ad and coupling member.

In a draft device, the kcombination with a pair of spaced plates, a swivel block jourynaled between said plates, a draw bar swiveled in said journal bloek and having' a head adapted as a Couplingmeinbeneoiled springs arranged `on saiddraw bar between said head and said swivel block and at the rear 

